Below is a call-to-action email forwarded to RMEF’s membership base in Oregon on September 9, 2024. Toward the bottom is the September 9, 2024, letter RMEF forwarded to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Anti-hunters in Oregon are using the game plan by Washington anti-hunters seeking to frustrate proven wildlife management. They are placing pressure on the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission to ignore the recommendations of ODFW wildlife management professionals.
Specifically, they want to close the spring bear season, reduce bear license tags, further limit mountain lion hunting opportunities and they oppose a newly proposed bear hunt in the Alsea-Stott unit for 55 youth hunters.
Click on the “TAKE ACTION“ button below to send a message to the commission in favor of wildlife management. The commission meets this Friday (9/13) in The Dalles. You can also find links to testify in person after clicking on the “TAKE ACTION” button but you must register to do so by Wednesday.
Thank you for standing up for wildlife, management, hunting and conservation.
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)
September 9, 2024
Dear Madam Chair and Commissioners:
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) appreciates the opportunity to comment in strong support of the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) staff recommendations for the
2025 Big Game Regulations.
RMEF’s mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat, and our hunting heritage. RMEF’s membership includes hunters, anglers, ranchers, guides, outfitters, other business owners, wildlife enthusiasts, and other conservationists with recreational and economic interests in enjoying elk and other big game species. Since its creation in 1984, RMEF has conserved or enhanced more than 8.9 million acres of North America’s most vital habitat for elk, mule deer, bear, and other wildlife. Since 1986, RMEF and its partners have completed 1,101 conservation and hunting heritage outreach projects in Oregon with a combined value of more than $100.1 million. These projects conserved or enhanced 891,639 acres of habitat and opened or improved public access to 157,421 acres. As such, RMEF has an interest in ensuring the future productivity of elk, mule deer, and other wildlife; improving access to quality hunting opportunities; and engaging the next generation of hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
ODFW’s professional wildlife management staff prepared the recommended 2025 Big Game Regulations guided by:
- ORS 496.012 – Wildlife Policy
- Science-based and Commission approved species management plans
- Current species population and herd composition information
- Current hunter harvest data
- Depredation information
- Other factual considerations
The staff’s recommendations represent the application of the best wildlife science to the management of Oregon’s wildlife.
In recent years, various activist environmental and anti-hunting groups have organized campaigns against hunting black bears (particularly spring bear hunting) and cougars. Their arguments are not rooted in science. Oregon’s established bear and cougar management plan guidance ensure that these species are closely regulated, including prohibitions on taking females with young. All harvested animals must be checked by ODFW staff to gather scientific data. ODFW staff’s report, Exhibit E, notes that both cougar and black bear populations are increasing steadily under regulated hunting, and that has been the case for the many years since both were legally designated as big game animals. Bears and cougars in Oregon are doing quite well under the current management.
In conclusion, RMEF on behalf of its more than 10,000 Oregon members strongly recommends approval of the ODFW Staff recommendations for the 2025 Big Game Regulations.
RMEF is a non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to ensure the future of elk, other wildlife, their habitat, and our hunting heritage. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation.
Sincerely,
Ryan Bronson
RMEF Director of Government Affairs